Former House of Representatives member, Hon. (Dr) Abubakar Amuda Kannike has declared his intention to represent Kwara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, come 2023 General Elections.
Hon. Amuda-Kannike made this known on Monday, during his officially declaration at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kwara Central Senatorial office in Ilorin.
The former Commissioner, who said that his decision to run for the Senate was to attract needed development to Kwara Central, stressed that there is need for quality representation and establishment of feedback mechanism which suppose to be between the constituents and their legislator and to also contribute to the growth of infrastructure in the Senatorial District.
Hon. Amuda-Kannike noted that the Nigerian Red Chambers is not a place for an ‘on the job training’ but for those that have right attitude, capacity and vast experience in the legislative business who has what it takes to effectively represent their people.
The former Representative of Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency in the 8th Assembly said that he would run under the platform of PDP with a promise to ensure victory for the party in the state and to attract more development to the area.
According to him, construction and rehabilitation of schools, health care facilities, portable water supply, empowerment of youths, widows, and the less privileged among others will be given adequate attention if elected.
He said further that he will be constantly in touch with people of the constituents and motions will be moved and sponsored into bills that will have a direct positive impact on the people.
He also promised to attract Federal Government projects to the Constituency.
According to him, “I am here today to indicate my aspiration for the position of Senator representing Kwara Central.
“As someone who had the privilege of public service. I have the privilege of been in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly. I have seen the workings of the National Assembly. I have seen every opportunity that the National Assembly presents to any representative either as a House of Rep member or as a Senator.
“I want to leverage on this. I have seen the opportunity to let the voice of your people be heard in the Hallow Chamber of the National Assembly.
“I thank my people for the privilege they gave me to represent them in the 8th Assembly. I’ve gone, I’ve come back and I thank God for the achievements we were able to record. I decided to document all my achievements in the 8th Assembly in my scorecard because I believe that posterity must be able to judge us.
“I am leveraging on that experience of representing you in the House of Representatives and I am seeking to occupy the seat of Senator of the Kwara Central Senatorial District.
“The promise I made when I was vying for the House of Representatives was that I will not be a House of Representatives member that you will not see after election. I thank God that He helped me in achieving that and I think I fulfilled that promise, because representation is not about staying in Abuja, it is about liaising between your people and the Government. Is about taking the yearnings and things your people need and their aspiration and getting their opinion.
“I will use the platform of National Assembly to be their voice so that people will hear their views. All of us cannot be in the House of Assembly, but you must choose the one who is more competent and having tentacles at the grassroots. The one who is ready to liaise with you, to feel your pulse. The one that is ready to wear your shoe so that he will know where you are pinched in the shoe.
“And that was the opportunity I had in the Green Chamber. Naturally, when you have an opportunity like that you will desire to step it up, that is why I am looking at a seat in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly come 2023 election.
“I want to assure you, if you give me the opportunity to carry the flag of PDP in the coming election we will win the election because our records will speak for us.
“The flag of our party that I want to carry is not about my selfish interest or aspiration. I’m carrying the flag on behalf of Ilorin East. We recognize Ilorin West as our power block. We pleaded in the spirit of fairness, equity and justice that we are preaching as a Party that Ilorin East is considered for the slot of this Senatorial seat”, he said.
He, therefore, solicited the support of the people especially members of the PDP in the Senatorial District in making his ambition a reality.
Earlier, the former SSA Political to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, Alhaji Toyin Olokooba said that Hon. Amuda-Kannike has all that it takes to occupy the position of Senator based on his numerous works at the Green Chamber between 2015 and 2019.
Olokooba noted that, as a technocrat and someone who outperformed others while in the House of Representatives, Kannike touched almost all the wards in Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency with projects that have a direct impact on the people.
“It is on record that in the areas of infrastructural development, education, health and human capital development, he made a meaningful impact which is verifiable in the Constituency.”
“Responding, the Senatorial Chairman, Kwara Central, Mallam Isiaka Owolabi appreciated the aspirant for knowing the importance of coming to the Senatorial office.
He commended him for having good relationship with many people, which he said “today is pay back time for the respect he has for many people.
“Also you did well when you were SSA, Commissioner and even member House of Representatives and I want to believe that you can do better if elected”, Mall Owolabi said.
In attendance were, Party Chairmen and Women Leaders, Party Leaders, Stewards and supporters of the aspirant from Kwara Central Senatorial District.
